Read Online JINXED: (Karma Series, Book Two) by Donna Augustine - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Donna Augustine
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weeds sprouting up between the cracks of cement, and turned off the engine.
Feeling underneath my seat, I grabbed the can of pepper spray hidden there. I'd feel bad nailing Lars in the eyes, but if he got too annoying, I would. He had threatened me with death at one point. Pepper spray wasn’t an overreaction. Retired or not, when Death threatens you with dying, you needed to come prepared, no matter what your instincts told you. Who knew what kind of mojo he still had going on?
The Honda's muffler had warned all of my arrival, so I wasn't surprised when the door was pushed open by Cutty. So, did that mean all the boys had decided to come out and play?
I'd found out that Cutty was named thusly for his favorite drink, Cutty Sark. They had all adopted weird names since they had never been human and given one by parents. Once they retired, they needed to call themselves something that was totally disassociated with the agency.
It's not like Lars could walk around being called Death. Then I thought of his long dark hair and habit of wearing black. Actually, he might be able to pull it off.
I wondered if all four of them would be here. Bic, named in honor of his bald head, and Angus, who had an affinity for red meat. I’d find out soon, I thought as I stepped into the building.
The lights were dimmed but my eyesight adjusted fairly quickly. A lot of things were better since my death. The Tooth Fairy had once described mortality as being covered in bubble wrap, everything around you muffled slightly.
It seemed plausible, since as time slowly crept by, my eyes became sharper, my hearing more acute and my limbs more nimble. The only thing that hadn't changed was my sense of taste. That was pretty much same ole'.
I took in my surroundings with my new and improved senses as I followed Cutty. An old Pac-Man video game was standing in the corner, with Donkey Kong right beside it. We skirted around an air hockey table.
I used to be great at air hockey. It was all about the angles. Just when your opponent got into a habit of blocking the sides, you shot the puck straight down the center, lightning fast.
“Hey, Cutty,” it was the first words either of us had uttered. “How about we settle this like civilized people, with an air hockey duel?” I wanted to add, because I'm going to kick your ass , but it was best to leave the trash talking off until he accepted.
Even in life, I'd loved a good trash talking. It was truly part of any healthy competition, if you thought about it. Well, maybe not, but it was a ton of fun if you were good at it.
He stopped and turned to look at me. “You really are one strange girl,” he said, then kept walking.
I took that for a no .
I followed him away from the table. It was probably for the best anyway. Those games were part of a past I didn't like to think about.
The smaller front room opened up into a larger back area that had been used for laser tag. I’d guess it was probably a transition from the arcade to something fresher, when the trend turned toward home units. Didn't look like it had turned out so well.
An empty chair sat in the center of the abandoned room with chipping paint and missing carpet. A light hung overhead, creating harsh shadows in the corners of the room, where I could see the barest outline of the others.
Now I really knew Fate wasn't here. He wasn't this dramatic; not on purpose, anyway. His was more of a natural gift, effortlessly stealing the show.
“Oooh, so spooky,” I mocked, and wasn't surprised when I was the only one laughing. These guys had no sense of humor. “Should I presume this is my seat?” I didn't wait for an answer but sat down.
“It's time for answers. Are you with us or not?” Cutty leaned over me, placing a hand on the back of my chair. “Think before you speak.”
These guys weren't a laughing matter; I knew this. And yet, I couldn't seem to work up any respectable level of anxiety for the situation. I didn't know what exactly
Feeling underneath my seat, I grabbed the can of pepper spray hidden there. I'd feel bad nailing Lars in the eyes, but if he got too annoying, I would. He had threatened me with death at one point. Pepper spray wasn’t an overreaction. Retired or not, when Death threatens you with dying, you needed to come prepared, no matter what your instincts told you. Who knew what kind of mojo he still had going on?
The Honda's muffler had warned all of my arrival, so I wasn't surprised when the door was pushed open by Cutty. So, did that mean all the boys had decided to come out and play?
I'd found out that Cutty was named thusly for his favorite drink, Cutty Sark. They had all adopted weird names since they had never been human and given one by parents. Once they retired, they needed to call themselves something that was totally disassociated with the agency.
It's not like Lars could walk around being called Death. Then I thought of his long dark hair and habit of wearing black. Actually, he might be able to pull it off.
I wondered if all four of them would be here. Bic, named in honor of his bald head, and Angus, who had an affinity for red meat. I’d find out soon, I thought as I stepped into the building.
The lights were dimmed but my eyesight adjusted fairly quickly. A lot of things were better since my death. The Tooth Fairy had once described mortality as being covered in bubble wrap, everything around you muffled slightly.
It seemed plausible, since as time slowly crept by, my eyes became sharper, my hearing more acute and my limbs more nimble. The only thing that hadn't changed was my sense of taste. That was pretty much same ole'.
I took in my surroundings with my new and improved senses as I followed Cutty. An old Pac-Man video game was standing in the corner, with Donkey Kong right beside it. We skirted around an air hockey table.
I used to be great at air hockey. It was all about the angles. Just when your opponent got into a habit of blocking the sides, you shot the puck straight down the center, lightning fast.
“Hey, Cutty,” it was the first words either of us had uttered. “How about we settle this like civilized people, with an air hockey duel?” I wanted to add, because I'm going to kick your ass , but it was best to leave the trash talking off until he accepted.
Even in life, I'd loved a good trash talking. It was truly part of any healthy competition, if you thought about it. Well, maybe not, but it was a ton of fun if you were good at it.
He stopped and turned to look at me. “You really are one strange girl,” he said, then kept walking.
I took that for a no .
I followed him away from the table. It was probably for the best anyway. Those games were part of a past I didn't like to think about.
The smaller front room opened up into a larger back area that had been used for laser tag. I’d guess it was probably a transition from the arcade to something fresher, when the trend turned toward home units. Didn't look like it had turned out so well.
An empty chair sat in the center of the abandoned room with chipping paint and missing carpet. A light hung overhead, creating harsh shadows in the corners of the room, where I could see the barest outline of the others.
Now I really knew Fate wasn't here. He wasn't this dramatic; not on purpose, anyway. His was more of a natural gift, effortlessly stealing the show.
“Oooh, so spooky,” I mocked, and wasn't surprised when I was the only one laughing. These guys had no sense of humor. “Should I presume this is my seat?” I didn't wait for an answer but sat down.
“It's time for answers. Are you with us or not?” Cutty leaned over me, placing a hand on the back of my chair. “Think before you speak.”
These guys weren't a laughing matter; I knew this. And yet, I couldn't seem to work up any respectable level of anxiety for the situation. I didn't know what exactly
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